Rep. David Floyd announces he will retire at end of 2016

Rep. David Floyd announced on Monday that this year will be his last in the legislature.

The news of the Bardstown Republican’s retirement was announced via email with Minority Floor Leader Jeff Hoover issuing a statement before Floyd officially withdrew from the election.

Floyd would have faced a primary opponent in Chad McCoy, who filed for the post on Tuesday Jan. 26, the day of the candidate filing deadline.

In a statement sent to Pure Politics, Floyd said he met privately with McCoy last week. After the meeting, he said he felt the seat, if McCoy wins, will be in good hands.

“It turns out Chad and I share almost identical positions on all major issues that have come before the General Assembly,” Floyd said in the statement. “More importantly, he is philosophically aligned with the overwhelming majority of Nelson County residents.”

“There are two candidates for state representative, and I enthusiastically endorse Chad McCoy.” Floyd added. “I’ve said for a good while that I’d retire when another person files who will faithfully represent the values of this district. Chad is that person.”

Floyd is entering his tenth year in the legislature, and he said there is still tough work that needs to be taken care of.

“This is an important budget year. The session concludes April 15th, but my work isn’t finished until the next representative is sworn in,” Floyd said. “I believe in term-limits, self-imposed or otherwise. But I don’t plan to stop work after I’m out of office; I will continue serving the community in other ways after this year is ended.”

Upon learning the news of Floyd’s impending departure from Frankfort, Hoover said he will be missed.

“I am saddened at the departure of my good friend, David Floyd,” Hoover, R-Jamestown, said in a statement. “He has served with honor and distinction, and his voice will be missed in our caucus. His family has always been his first priority, and I know how much he enjoys his new role as a grandfather.”

As Floyd seeks a return to Nelson County, Hoover and the rest of the GOP looking to make Democrats the minority party are confident that McCoy can emerge from a general election contest against Democratic candidate James DeWeese of Bardstown.

“As a small businessman, Chad will bring a level of experience and common sense to Frankfort and will be a strong addition to the Republican Caucus,” Hoover said. “He is a wonderful father and husband, and I look forward to him joining us as a member of the New Majority.”

Nick Storm

Nick Storm is the Anchor and Managing Editor of Pure Politics available exclusively on Spectrum News. Pure Politics is the only nightly program dedicated to Kentucky politics. Nick covers all of the political heavyweights and his investigative work brings to light issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, like his coverage of the backlog of DNA rape kits waiting to be tested in Kentucky. Nick is also working on a feature length bio documentary Outlaw Poet: A documentary on Ron Whitehead. Pure Politics airs weeknight at 7 and 11:30 on Spectrum News. Follow Nick on Twitter @NStorm_Politics. Nick can be reached at 502-792-1107 or nicholas.storm@charter.com.